Fixture for displaying yard goods



July 20, 1965 R. MEYER FIXTURE FOR DISPLAYING YARD GOODS Filed Aug. 14, 1965 INVENTOR.

3,195,480 FIXTURE FQR DISPLAYING YARD GOODS Ralph Meyer, Park Forest, lll., assignor to Skyline Mannfacturing o., Chicago Heights, ilL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 302,160 7 Claims. (Cl. 10813) The present invention relates to a novel display fixture, and more specifically to a novel fixture of the type suitable for displaying merchandise in a store.

While various uses for fixtures incorporating features of the present invention will suggest themselves, such fixtures are particularly suitable for use in displaying and selling yard goods. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, stores selling yard goods usually maintain a substantial inventory comprising many bolts of cloth. In order to display the material, it is sometimes desirable to lay the bolts out horizontally on a table and at other times it is desirable to stand the bolts in a sub stantially upright position. Such displays provide different requirements for display fixtures.

The bolts of cloth to be displayed frequently are of different widths and in such situations difficulties are encountered in providing a neat and pleasing display. It is apparent that when bolts of different widths are placed in an upright position on a given fixture surface the upper end of the bolts will be at different heights so that a ragged appearing display is provided.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel fixture for displaying and merchandising products such as yard goods and the like, which fixture may selectively be adapted for supporting and displaying goods such as bolts of cloth in a generally upright position and for presenting a generally horizontal surface usable as a display surface or a cutting table or the like.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a novel display fixture for supporting goods such as bolts of cloth and the like of different widths in a manner such that upper ends of the bolts are at substantially the same height whereby to present a neat and pleasing appearance.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel display fixture for supporting bolts of cloth and the like in a generally upright position in a manner such that the bolts may be quickly and easily removed from or placed on the fixture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel fixture of the above-described type which is constructed so that bolts of cloth supported in a generally u right position may be easily adjusted in a cornpact neat appearing display when one or more of the bolts are removed from the fixture or, in other words, when the number of bolts on the fixture is less than the capacity of the fixture.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel fixture of the above-described type which can be quickly and easily adjusted so as selectively to provide a generally horizontal table top surface or means for supporting bolts in a generally upright position.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel fixture of the above-described type which may be quickly and easily adjusted for accommodating bolts of cloth of diiferent widths and supporting such bolts in a generally upright position with upper ends of of the bolts at a predetermined level.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel fixture of the above-described type which is of simple and rugged construction and which provides a pleasing appearance.

3,195,489 Patented July 20, 1965 A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel fixture of the above-described type which is constructed so that it may be shipped to a customer in a knocked-down condition and then readily assembled by the customer.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fixture incorporating features of the present invention in an adjusted condition for supporting and displaying bolts of material or the like in a generally upright position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the fixture adjusted for providing a flat horizontal table top surface.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a combined shelf and table top subassembly included in the fixture of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the shelf-supporting means incorporated in the fixture of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing another portion of the shelf and table top supporting means incorporated in the fixture of the present invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals of the various figures, a fixture 1t) incorporating features ofthe present invention is shown in FIG. 1. In the condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the fixture is adapted to support a plurality of bolts 12 of fabric or the like in a generally upright position. Alternatively, the fixture 10 is adapted to be adjusted for providing a substantially horizontal table top surface as shown in FIG. 3.

The fixture 10 comprises upstanding opposite end panels 14 and 16 formed from wood, fiberboard or any other suitable material. A base member or bottom shelf 18 extends between lower margins of the end panels 14 and 16. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the base or bottom shelf member 18 preferably has a width for substantially traversing the entire lower marginaledges of the end panels. A generally centrally located upstanding divider panel 20 also extends between the opposite end panels 14 and 16 and rests on top of the bottom shelf 18. Legs 22 are secured to and depend from the four corner portions of the rectangular base member 18 for supporting the fixture. on the floor.

In order to facilitate shipment of the fixture in a knocked-down condition and subsequent assembly of the fixture by the customer, the legs 22 are detachably connected with the base member 18 and the base member 18 and the divider panel 2% are detachably connected with the opposite end members. At the same time the construction is such that final assembly of the parts will result in a strong and rigid structure. In this connection it is to be noted that blocks 24 and 26 are secured to a lower marginal portion of the end member 16 but above the bottom edge thereof. The bottom edge of the end member 15 is notched as shown at 28 in FIG. 5 and the notch and the blocks 24 and 26 provide a substantial downwardly facing abutment surface 39 adapted to overlie and fit against the base member 18. Screws 32 are inserted through the blocks 24 and 26 for securing the base member with respect to the end panel 16.

The base member is secured to the end panel 14 in an identical manner. Thus it is not necessary to show the connection between the base member and the end panel 14 '2 1 is a in detail and. it suffices to state that the loweredge of the end member 14 is provided with a notchidentical to the 1 i A complementary bracket for hanger elementSZis adnotch 28 and block members 34- and 35 corresponding to V the blocks.24 and 26,- are secured to theend member 14. 4 In order to secure the divider panel 20in position a slot 36 is provided in the upper surface of the base member 18 for receiving a loweredge of the panel 20 and a slot justably connected with the bracket member 76 for engaging beneath and supporting the shelf member 52. The

" bracket element 82; has an upper generally horizontal leg terminates in a flange 86 insertable through a selected aperture 3d and engageable behind the central-portion 780f the bracket member 76. .The bracket element 82 also 38 is formed in the end member 16 forreceiving an end of the panel 20. A slot identical to the slot 38 is formed in the end panel 14 for receiving an opposite end of the I divider panel 20. A plurality of screws iil spaced along the base member 18 serve to secure the lower edge or i an upstanding block 42a fixed'to theend panel 16 atone side of the slot38 and additional screws '44 are inserted through the block 42 and into the paneIZtB. Another 1 block 46 is secured to theend'panel 14 and corresponds to the block 42-except that it is located at a side -of the divider panel 20 opposite from'the block '42 whereby to facilitate assembly of the structure. Additional screws,

notshown, extend through'the block 46 and into the 7 panel 20.

- the divider panel fz'eto 'the'base member 18. Inaddition i V engageable beneath the shelf member 52, which leg has another leg portion 88 which extends downwardly and inwardl-y from theleg portion 84 and also terminates in a flange th insertable through'one of the apertures 8t) asshown' best in FIG; 6. The arrangement of the aper- .tures 80 and thebracketmember 76 is such thatthe upper flat surface of the bracket element leg portion 84is substantially par all'elto. and provides a broad "area: of'e'ngagement for the shelf member 52.

.lt'is to be understood that the height of the shelf unit may be readily varied by adjusting the position of the bracket element 8-2 along the brac'ketmember 76. Preferably'the adjustment is made in accordance with the width of the bolt '12 of fabric material to be displayed and as In accordancewith an important feature of the present;

, invention the fixture is provided withcombined'shelf and table top assemblies or units 48 and- 54) which, as

. previously'indicated, are adapted selectively to'bepositioned forsupporting the bolts offabric in generally up right positions and for presenting a generally horizontal table top. The assemblies 43 and 50 are identical and each includes a shelf member 52 and atable top'member 54 preferably disposed substantially at right angles'with respect to the shelf member. The table top member 54 is secured by suitable means such as adhesives. or screws 'to. [an edge ofthe shelf member 52 and is positioned so that a marginal'portion 56 of the member 54 extends, slightly beyond the bottom surface of the shelf member 52 for the purpose described below; Notches 53 and hi) are top units 48 and 50, mounting means64 andd' areprovided on the end members 14 and '16. The mounting means d ifand 66 are identical so that only the means 64 7 need be shown and described in'detail. In order to'sup-' port the'units '48 and 50 in the position shown in FIGS. 1

shown in FIG. 2 the 'height of the units 48 and 59 may be adjusted relative to each other so that bolts of fabric having different widths supported thereon are positioned with upper ends at substantially the same level whereby to provide a neat and pleasing display. It is understood, of

- 7 course, that the'mounting means' 66 on the end panel 14 bracket members are; provided in the mounting means 66 1 includes identical bracketand channel members for supporting thejshelf and top unit48. v7

Themounting means d'dincl des another channel member 9'Z'Which is id'entical to but oppositely arranged from the 'icha'nnel 68." fCooperable ,bracket members 94 and 96 identical to.thejbracketfmembers 76 and 82 are also provided association with the channel92 for supporting 'the unit 59in the shelf position shown 'in FIG. 2. It is,

or course, understood that corresponding-channel and at the' 'opposite end of'the fixture structure.

The units lid-and '53 are readily assembled with 'or removed fr om the; channel members 68 and "92 of the mounting means' merely by.sliding the units upwardly or, downwardly with respect to the channel member.

7 Whenthe units 43 and 54) are removed they may be and 2 for retaining bolts of material substantially upright, the means '64 comprises a channel'member 68 secured to the innersurfacle of the end member 16.! As

shown best in FIG. 7 the channel member 68 comprises flanges '70 and 72. defining a. slot 74 therebetween. The slot is adapted slidably to receive a marginal end portion of the top member 54 and the previously described notch 58 in the edge of the shelf member 52 providescle arance for accommodating the flange 72 of the channel member.

- It is to be noted that the channel member 63 is inclined upwardly and, inwardly so as to support the unit43 in a slightly inclined position 'asshown best in FIG. 2 whereby 'the' bolt 12 of fabric not only rests on the shelf member 52 a but will also lean'back against the topmemberSd. This turned and mounted in'the table providing position shown in'FIGS. 3 and 5. The mounting means 64 includes ad- 7 ditionalehannel members 98 and 100 for slidably receiving ends ofthe shelf members 52 of the units '48 and'50 whenthe unitsfiare arranged in the table top providing 7 position, Of 'course,'the mounting means 66 also ineludes additional channel .members corresponding to th a members 98 and 1th); E

The-channel mernbers 98 andf ltltl are :"arr anged in vertical slightly spaced" apart, relationship' between the 'rchannel members68 and 92 and the spacing is such that when'the units '48 and 5d are arranged in-thetable top providing position, the edges of the marginal portions 56 oft the top members. 54 substantially abut each other as shown'inlFlG. 3.- The channel members98 and 100 arejidentical'to the channel member 68 except that the upperend of the channelinember '68 andal-so the upper end ofthe channel member 92 are beveled and disposed w in acommon' plane with the flipper ends of the channel arrangement enables the bolts of fabric to be easily placed on or removed fromthe shelf while at the same time the bolts will be retained in a manner which substantially precludes them from'being accidentally knocked offiof V the shelf. i

In order .to secure height, the mounting means 64 comprises an elongated bracket member76 secur'ed'to the endpanelld preferably in generally parallel relationship to the channel member 68'.- The bracket. member 76isformed' from a' suitablev sheet material such as, metal and has a raised central p'0r.f tion 78 .Witha plurality of vertically spaced apertures'or' slots 80 therein.

the shelf unitil lj at thei'desired ,members 98 and tilt) so that'the upper ends of all the 'channelfmembers provide horizontal stop or, abutment surface means for engaging beneathiand supportingthe 7 top members 54 of the units 48 and 50.

.While: the preferred embodiment of'the present invert- ;tion has been shownanddescribedhereinpit is obvious that inany structural details maybechanged without de- "parting-from the spirit and scopeof the appended claims.

The invention is claimed-as follows;

.1. A fixture of the typedescribed comprising opposed upstanding and spaced apart end means, a shelf and top unit extending'between said. endmeans, said unit including a shelf member and a top'member conuectedto and extending angularly with respect to said shelf member, and mounting means on said end means for selectively supporting said unit in first and second positions in which first position said top member extends upwardly from said shelf member and in which second position said top member extends generally horizontally, said mounting means including a generally upstanding channel member on one of said end means for slidably receiving an end margin of said top member when said unit is in said first position.

2. A fixture, as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes an element selectively positionable at different heights on one of said end means and engageable with said unit for adjustably supporting said unit at different heights.

3. A fixture of the type described comprising opposed upstanding and spaced apart end means, a shelf and top unit extending bet-ween said end means, said unit including a shelf member and a top member connected to and angularly disposed with respect to said shelf member, and mounting means on said end means for selectively supporting said units in first and second positions in which first position said top member extends upwardly from said shelf member and in which second position said top member extends generally horizontally, said mounting means including means providing a generally upstanding channel on one of said end means for slidably receiving an end marginal portion of one of said members when said unit is in one of said positions.

4. A fixture, as defined in claim 3, wherein said channel means slidably receives said shelf member when said unit is in said second position.

5. A fixture, as defined in claim 4 which includes another generally upstanding channel means for receiving said top member when said unit is in said first position, said last mentioned channel means being inclined from the vertical for supporting said top member in a position inclined from the vertical.

6. A fixture, as defined in claim 5, which includes a bracket element vertically adjustably mounted on one of said end means for engaging beneath said shelf member and adjustably supporting said unit at different heights.

7. A fixture of the type described comprising a pair of upstanding and spaced apart end panel members, a. base member extending between and connected with lower marginal portions of said panel members, a pair of shelf and top units extending between said end panel members above said base member, each of said units including a shelf member and a top member connected to and angularly disposed with respect to said shelf member, and mounting means on said end panel members selectively supporting said units in first and second positions in which first position said top members of said units extend upwardly from their respective shelf members and in which second position said top members of said units extend horizontally in a substantially common plane.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 16,234 12/25 Taylor 2l1153 X 2,148,402 2/39 Eyres 21l44 2,359,109 9/44 Hormes 108109 X 2,468,513 4/49 Rider 211134 3,123,220 3/64 Hanson 2l188 FOREIGN PATENTS 298,714 7/54 Switzerland.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Examiner. 

1. A FIXTURE OF THE TYPED DESCRIBED COMPRISING OPPOSED UPSTANDING AND SPACED APART END MEANS, A SHELF AND TOP UNIT EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID END MEANS, SAID UNIT INCLUDING A SHELF MEMBER AND A TOP MEMBERCONNECTED TO AND EXTENDING ANGURLARLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID SHELF MEMBER, AND MOUNTING MEANS ON SAID END MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY SUPPORTING SAID UNIT IN FIRST AND SECONDS PORTIONS IN WHICH FIRST POSITION SAID TOP MEMBER EXTENDS UPWARDLY FROM SAID SHELF MEMBER AND IN WHICH SECOND POSITION SAID TOP MEMBER EXTENDS GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY, SAID MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A GENERALLY UPSTANDING CHANNEL MEMBER ON ONE OF SAID END MEANS FOR SLIDABLY RECEIVING AN END MARGIN OF SAID TOP MEMBER WHEN SAID UNIT IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION. 